Climate change vigil

Mark Dowd

Christian Ecology Link and Operation Noah, will be holding an ecumenical service at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London, on Saturday, 15 May at 11pm as part of a weekend of events to urge the newly-formed government to act decisively and urgently on climate change.

Mark Dowd of Operation Noah, Channel 4 'God is Green' documentary presenter, will address the service on the subject of the crisis in Climate Change, the damages the World is already experiencing, the failures in the international negotiations, and hopes for what the new British Government can bring.

While the church service is taking place, vigil supporters will be gathering with lit candles and torches in Trafalgar Square. At midnight, there will be a candlelit procession to Old Palace Yard, outside the Houses of Parliament, opposite the Palace of Westminster, where the vigil will be welcomed by music, ancient, modern and global, and artistic displays and presentations, and where speeches will be made, by Climate Change scientists and campaigners.

Throughout the night, Christian Ecology Link will be hosting a space for prayers, quiet music, meditation and reflection at the Lambeth Methodist Mission, 3 – 5 Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7DQ, where tea and coffee will be served.

There will be a full programme of arts and music activities during the night, at Old Palace Yard and St Jude's Community Centre, St Georges Road, London SE1 6EZ, where the Brixton Tea Party will provide refreshments, and breakfast.

Classical musicians and singers wishing to take part in the church service, or perform at either of the overnight venues, should contact Ruth Jarman of Christian Ecology Link on 07970 907784 or at ruthj@phonecoop.coop.

Ruth Jarman of Christian Ecology Link said: "The Climate Vigil aims simply to keep the truth alive. Governments lost the plot at last year's Copenhagen summit, and sceptics have been getting all the airtime recently with some feeble assertions. From the General Election campaign you'd think that the problem of dangerous Climate Change had gone away. But it hasn't. It's vital to remember the truth, that we're still in trouble. We need prayer and prophecy, creativity and campaigning. On 15 May we will be coming together, Christian or not, because we need each other, and Government needs us too."

For more information see: www.christian-ecology.org.uk/vigil.htm